Category Archives: Stories

This handbook was written by the BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) in collaboration with the BC Bereavement Helpline (BCBH) and the BC Coroners Service.

The handbook was created with the guidance of Leslie McBain and Jennifer Woodside, who generously shared their stories and experiences and what they wish they had known in the immediate days after they lost children to drug-related harms, as well as what they wished they had known in the months and years after.

The handbook covers emotions and responses you may experience, tips to take care of yourself, practical considerations in the wake of this tragedy, and stories from people who have lost loved ones.

Two days after last year’s Christmas, Gesar Saunders learned his brother Merlin had died of an overdose. He was 26 years old, and had been clean for months. There was a sense of optimism about his recovery. But then he relapsed.

Filmmaker Maureen Palmer set out to make a documentary following her partner Mike Pond — a psychotherapist and an alcoholic five years sober — as he searched for the best new evidence-based addiction treatments. The intent was to help others battling substance use disorders.

Each week, CNN profiles someone who has faced a dramatic turning point in their life. This story describes how after losing his son to addiction, Kim Manlove found himself in a recovery centre and how he transitioned from grief to action to support other families struggling to find evidence-based addiction treatment in an environment dominated by stigma and shame. See the full story here…..

Take a look at Johann Hari’s very powerful and thought provoking TED talk on why we should reconsider how we support people with addiction. If you are looking for an easy to read, comprehensive and up-to-date review of the science of addiction we strongly recommend you also review this recent NIDA Publication on the topic .

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